Wrap-up of Homecoming 2009

At Hillside Commons, current students, staff, and alumni took part in the 25th anniversary celebration of the apartment communities.

"In general, I love Homecoming because it's a great way to catch up, but this has been an amazing reception," said Wendy (Abdmahmoodi) Nastasi '03, who lived in Susquehanna but has since become a community director for Hillside. "Everyone is so excited and enthusiastic to be back."

In addition to those who attended the 25th anniversary celebration, Faculty Master Elizabeth "Libby" Tucker was also on hand to greet guests and sign copies of her history of the University's apartment communities "The Whole World in One Community." She told ghost stories at a Saturday night bonfire.

Andrea Cronkite '07, residence director for Lehman Hall in Hinman College, lived in Susquehanna and shared her fond memories of tray sledding during the winter and taking part in the overall sense of independence and community. "I loved the fact that it was the next step towards going out in the real world," she said.

Alumni toured WHRW during the station's open house on Saturday and went live on the air to re-live their moments of fame. Broadcasting overseas, the radio network has grown with a group of followers from all over the world, including Egypt. Alumni went on air to speak of a variety of issues, and the phone lines were lit up with callers wanting to add their two cents.

Alumni said walking in to the WHRW studio and seeing the memorable posters, quotes, and humorous cartoons from back in the day that line the walls, is enough to bring flashbacks.

"The nostalgia of coming back to Binghamton, and walking around this campus again, being with some of my old friends, three of whom I lived in the dorms and one who was my roommate, it is just excellent," said Daniel Janwankis '77 (at far left of photo). "I love coming back."

The Fine Arts Building is home to the new John Arthur Café, which was formally dedicated on Saturday, Oct. 3. The café is in memory of Arthur, a former professor who died in 2007 after a battle with cancer. Arthur always enjoyed lively discussions with students, and the café will be a great place for students and professors to get together for coffee and dialogue.

More than 150 walkers and runners took part in the second annual Faust 5K. Most of the participants were alumni, staff and friends who were close to Kristen Faust '00, however there were some students - such as Andrew Cody, who ran the 5K in 22:22, and was first to cross the finish line.

Alumni, such as Charles "Chip" Patton, Jr. '84 (at right of photo), couldn't find a reason not to join the event early Sunday. "It was a last-minute decision this morning," Patton said, "But, I figured with the good cause and the beautiful weather, I'd come out and do it."

Mollie Lehman '00 said the Faust 5K is one of the highlights of Homecoming for her. Supporting this event is worth the trip all the way from Denver, where she lives. Having known Faust personally, Lehman isn't surprised to see the event growing at such an alarming rate.

"It was one of the main reasons for coming this year... [Kristen] was kind of an inspirational point behind all of us," Lehman said. "It is unfortunate circumstances that we all have to get together for this reason, but it is a good chance to catch up, reminisce and see old friends."

Money raised during this event benefits the Faust Scholarship fund, awarded to an outstanding senior interested in a helping field, such as social work. Faust believed strongly in this area of specialty, as she, herself, was a senior counselor at the University.

The Alumni of Color Network had its annual Homecoming brunch on Sunday morning at the Events Center's TAU Bearcat Club Room. Tonya Parris '92 (pictured at left), a member of the Alumni Association's Board of Directors, spoke to the attendees, encouraging them to remain actively involved with the University and the association. Nicole Sirju-Johnson, MPA '99, interim director of the University's Multicultural Resource Center, talked about the recent developments within her department.